15 time management and productivity techniques for early stage Founders

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Problem: There are always 101 things to do. How do I manage my time effectively as a Founder?

As a founder, time often feels like a mythical and elusive thing that I always need, but seem to constantly run short of. Between managing team members, pitching, and developing the product, there’s always an urgency to to do more in less time. But, I’ve realised that true productivity isn’t about cramming every minute with tasks; it’s about using time strategically to maximise impact.

A question that I’m often asked is, how do I do so much with the time that I have? The answer is, I’ve created habits that help me to work hard, rest and recover.

So here are 15 actionable productivity hacks for founders just like you. Whether it’s reframing how you prioritize tasks, tapping into automations, or learning how to say no (a bit pain point for people like me, who love to help others), these tricks will help you stay focused on what really matters.

Let’s dive in.

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1. Use the $10, $100, $1,000 rule

Not all tasks are equal, and as a founder, recognising this quickly is pretty essential. The $10, $100, $1,000 rule helps you categorise tasks based on how they’ll help you to achieve a goal.

• $10 tasks are low-value, repetitive activities like scheduling, basic admin work, or replying to routine emails. These are prime candidates for delegation or automation (hello virtual assistant 👋🏾).

• $100 tasks hold moderate value, like managing your team or reviewing reports. These are important but not always super urgent.

• $1,000 tasks are high-value, high-impact to-dos that directly move the needle for your business — think pitching to investors, closing major deals, or building strategic partnerships.

The idea is, you want to focus on $1,000 tasks while finding ways to outsource or automate the rest. The challenge lies in learning to let go of lower-value tasks that you’re used to doing but can be handed over to someone (or something) else, even if you can do them well.

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2. Time block based on your energy levels

Time blocking has been a game-changer for me, as I section off time in my calendar for certain tasks well ahead of deadlines. But, I find this much more effective when its aligned with my energy levels. We all have natural peaks and troughs of energy throughout the day — the key is to schedule tasks that match these rhythms.

For example, if your mornings are when you feel most focused, use that time for deep work like strategizing or problem-solving. Save afternoons for lighter tasks like emails or meetings. Similarly, if you hit a creative stride in the evenings, reserve that for brainstorming or writing.

I use Reclaim to manage my day as I can add recurring tasks, and block time out for projects (and set the time I would ideally like to to work on each task). By planning your day around your energy levels, you can work smarter, avoid burnout, and actually accomplish more in fewer hours.